How to preserve the olfaction in harvesting the nasoseptal flap in endoscopic skull base surgery

The introduction of nasoseptal flap for the skull base defects reconstruction in endoscopic endonasal approaches represents a revolution that dramatically reduced incidence of the cerebrospinal fluid leaks, however it may be associated with comorbidities like olfactory hypofunction. Objectives: We revise our anatomical knowledge and surgical experience in order to describe an easy and safe technique to avoid olfaction hypofunction. Methods (Surgical technique): A simple anatomical surgical landmark proposed for identification of the olfactory area on the septum, based on the anatomy of the lateral nasal wall.

Source: Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - March 16, 2020 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Muaid I. Aziz Baban, Paolo Battaglia, Mokarbesh Hadi Mohammed, Davide Locatelli, Abdulrahman Shawkat, Mario Turri-Zanoni, Paolo Castelnuovo Source Type: research